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Two Bystanders Help Save Life in East Haven

Two women helped save the life of another woman who had entered cardiac arrest at a Chili’s restaurant in East Haven on Jan. 31. The two women, Tariana Ortega and Christine Fitzgerald, were recognized late last month for their efforts with Certificates of Recognition awarded by Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr.

Fitzgerald and Ortega were at the restaurant on the night of the 31st when they noticed a commotion around another patron. The woman was entering cardiac arrest.

“Her face was turning blue, and she was starting to pass out,” said Fitzgerald, who is a nursing school student at Fairfield University.

Fitzgerald and Ortega began administering CPR to the woman while they waited for EMTs and paramedics to arrive. Ortega, a medical assistant who was at the restaurant dining with her children, said her instincts kicked in and told her to do something.

“She could’ve been my mother, my aunt, or my sister,” she said.

According to incident details from the East Haven Fire Department (EHFD), the first responders to the incident were firefighter-EMTs Fred Parlato and Wayne Palmer, firefighter-paramedics Chris Guilfoil and Matt Hall, and volunteer firefighter Steve Brunelle, Jr.

Upon arrival, the East Haven Fire Department took over care for the woman from Ortega and Fitzgerald. Members of the EHFD also used the new Lifeline ARM Automated Chest Compression device, which delivers automated, high quality CPR to a patient. The device was only in service two weeks prior to being deployed for this call.

Shortly after the EHFD, the American Medical Response also arrived. Paramedic Supervisor Michael Turcio, as well as paramedics Brittany Aldrich and Russell Olson, assisted the fire department with patient care and transported the woman to Yale New Haven Hospital. The woman survived the incident and is recovering.

The Mayor’s Office said the high quality CPR performed by Ortega and Fitzgerald, as well as the use of the Lifeline ARM device, contributed to a successful outcome and survival of the patient.

All of the first responders also received Certificates of Recognition at a Feb. 23 press conference.

“This person whose life was saved was so lucky to be in the same building as two people who knew how to perform CPR,” Maturo said.

Maturo also implored citizens to take a CPR class. He said anyone could be like Fitzgerald and Ortega at the restaurant, and save a life.

Maturo also called the Lifeline ARM a worthwhile, lifesaving device, and noted that it was made locally in Connecticut.

Fitzgerald said she is really glad she was able to help, and feels like she is in the right career, noting that both of her parents are nurses.

“It’s what I’m meant to do,” she said.

Ortega said she is happy she did what she did, and is also happy the woman survived the incident.

“I think it’s the reason I was there at the restaurant,” she said.